DEC chief says don't expect drilling permits in 2012

Wednesday

Oct 26, 2011 at 3:51 PMOct 26, 2011 at 3:53 PM

BY STEVE ISRAEL

Don’t count on gas drilling permits to be issued next year, says the head of the state agency that will give the go ahead for the controversial natural gas extraction process of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.”

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens had said those permits could be issued “in 2012, perhaps even the first half of 2012.” But he now says “there’s been a little bit of a change of plans.”

One reason is that a report on the costs of fracking to state agencies is “unlikely” to be ready in time for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s state budget, to be delivered early next year.

Another is that the review of thousands of comments on the state’s proposed drilling regulations will take months after the comment period closes December 12.

So Martens now says he “can’t predict” whether permits will be issued next year in Southern Tier spots like Sullivan County, which sit atop the gas-rich Marcellus shale.“There’s no firm timetable,” he said.

When asked to elaborate, a DEC spokeswoman added:

“DEC will not issue any permits ...until the state and local resource needs are met and programs are in place to ensure strong oversight of this activity. The timing is less important than ensuring the thoroughness of the panel’s review and recommendations.”

Supporters of drilling, who have waited years for the state to finalize regulations, still held out hope that drilling could finally begin next year.

“We certainly hope this doesn’t delay the regulatory process, and we’re still optimistic that drilling will occur in 2012,” said Brad Gill, executive director of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York, who stressed he respects the DEC commitment to “getting it right.”

But opponents say the delay is an indication that their message of the dangers of fracking is hitting home.

“(It means) that the widespread opposition ...is now becoming a force that Cuomo has to listen to,” said Ramsay Adams, executive director of Youngsville’s Catskill Mountainkeeper.